HILLSVILLE — The Twin County Senior Olympics has attracted 50 competitors to the field.
The games for those over age 50 will be held this Friday and Saturday.
While organizers hoped for at least 75 participants, 50 still seems like a healthy start for the first-ever event, said Dennis Ward.

Back when Davidson County, N.C., launched its competitions in 1989, it only attracted 25. Now, that senior olympics event, which helped inspire the idea here, has grown to more than 200 participants.
In the Twin County version, the most competitors, 14, have signed up for the "corn hole" bean bag toss game.
Other activities will include swimming, golf, bike racing, bowling, a 5K run, tennis, 50-yard dash, softball, a race walk, horseshoes, basketball and ladder golf.
The range of ages of participants stretches from 50 to 82 years.
Though there was a deadline for ordering T-shirts, meals and awards for competitors, Wards said there’s still an opportunity for those interested to get involved as a participant or a volunteer.
The Senior Olympics seems to have attracted a lot of interest for a first-time event. “We’re excited about that,” Ward said. “We hope we’ll have good weather.”

Saturday — Sept. 15
• a 5K run, beginning at Carroll County High School – 7 a.m.
• opening ceremonies at the high school, with the overall winner of the 5k carrying the Senior Olympic torch – 8:30 a.m.
• tennis at the high school – 9:30 a.m.
• 50-yard dash at the high school – 9:30 a.m.
• softball pitch at high school – 10 a.m.
• race walk at high school – 11 a.m.
• horseshoes at the Carroll Wellness Center – 1 p.m.
• basketball shoot out at the Carroll Wellness Center – 2 p.m.
• ladder golf at high school – 3 p.m.
• corn hole at the high school – 4 p.m.
• closing ceremonies at the high school – 5:15 p.m.